Exercise assisting apparatus

ABSTRACT

To provide an exercise assisting apparatus that is capable of stimulating user&#39;s feet by means of an external physical approach and effortlessly and effectively training the muscles to balance and stay on the feet. The exercise assisting apparatus of the present invention, therefore, has a foot-support  2  configured to support a user&#39;s feet; and a plurality of airbags  5  disposed respectively on areas on an upper surface of the foot-support  2,  which come into contact with soles of the user&#39;s feet, each of the airbags being configured to have its top vertically movable, wherein the airbags  5  are arranged to move in cooperation with each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise assisting apparatus forassisting an exercise of a user's body by means of an external physicalapproach.

BACKGROUND ART

An exercise apparatus that enables an easy outdoor exercise hasconventionally been provided. For example, Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2004-261256 and Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2004-267724 respectively disclose exerciseassisting apparatuses. Each of the exercise assisting apparatus has afootrest for supporting a user's foot and a drive unit for swinging thefootrest.

Elderly people are desired to train their muscles to balance and stay ontheir feet in order not to fall. However, the above conventionalexercise assisting apparatuses merely allow simple bending andstretching exercises for feet to improve blood circulation, andtherefore need improvement in terms of effortlessly and effectivelytraining the muscles to balance and stay on feet.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was contrived in view of the problems mentionedabove, and has an object to provide an exercise assisting apparatus thatis capable of stimulating user's feet by means of an external physicalapproach and effortlessly and effectively training the muscles tobalance and stay on the feet.

In order to achieve the abovementioned object, the present invention isconfigured as an exercise assisting apparatus having: a foot-support 2configured to support a user's feet; and a plurality of actuatorsdisposed respectively on areas on an upper surface of the foot-support2, which come into contact with soles of the user's feet, each of theactuators being configured to have its top vertically movable, whereinthe actuators are arranged to move in cooperation with each other.According to this exercise assisting apparatus, even an elderly personwho finds it too difficult to do an acute exercise can stand on theseactuator and keep a standing posture, to stimulate the muscle groups ofboth feet and effortlessly and effectively train the muscles for stayingon his/her feet while keeping the balance of the standing posture.

It is preferred that the actuators be arranged in a plane within each ofthe areas so as to cover the entire sole of each of the user's feet. Inthis manner, the actuators can affect the entire sole of each food.

It is preferred that the actuators be arranged to cover the soles of atleast user's toes. In this manner, the user can not only dorsiflex atleast the user's feet, but also bend and stretch the user's toes. It isalso preferred that the actuators be arranged to cover the soles of atleast the arches of the user's feet. In this case, at least the user'sfeet can be bent into arches. It is also preferred that the actuators bearranged to cover the soles of at least the toes and heels of the user'sfeet. In this case, the user can dorsiflex or plantarflex their feet.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the actuators be arranged to havetheir tops which produce varying concavo-convex patterns. In thismanner, the concavo-convex patters can be switched alternately to applya variety of stimuli to the user.

It is preferred that the actuator be in the form of an airbag 5. Thisallows for an application of a soft pressure to the soles and compactstorage of the airbag when not expanded, so that it does not get in theway.

Moreover, it is preferred that the foot-support 2 have a left footrest 2a and a right footrest 2 b for receiving user's left and right feet,respectively, and that a drive unit 3 is provided to move the leftfootrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b. This allows for a combinationof the abovementioned assisted exercise in which the muscle groups ofboth feet are stimulated and the muscles to stay on the user's feet areeffortlessly and effectively trained, while the user keeps the balanceon the actuators, with another assisted exercise in which a variety ofmuscle groups of user's legs are stimulated by forcibly moving the leftand right feet along a predetermined track.

In order to achieve the abovementioned object, the present invention maybe configured as an exercise assisting apparatus having: a left footrest2 a for supporting a user's left foot; a right footrest 2 b forsupporting a user's right foot; a drive unit 3 configured to move theleft footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b; and an elastic memberdisposed on an upper surface of each of the left and right footrests 2 aand 2 b to cover the soles of the user's feet.

According to this exercise assisting apparatus, a variety of musclegroups of user's legs can be stimulated by forcibly moving the left andright feet along a predetermined track. Further, the balance of the usercan be broken by a reaction force generated by the elastic member duringan exercise. Therefore, even an elderly person who finds it toodifficult to do an acute exercise can stand on this elastic member andkeep a standing posture, to stimulate the muscle groups of both feet andeffortlessly and effectively train the muscles for staying on his/herfeet while keeping the balance of the standing posture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one example of an exercise assistingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view showing an operation of the exercise assistingapparatus, FIG. 2B is a side view showing an operation of the exerciseassisting apparatus, and FIG. 2C is also a side view showing anoperation of the exercise assisting apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part in anotherexample of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an essential part in the above exerciseassisting apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the back of theexercise assisting apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the exerciseassisting apparatus;

FIG. 7A is a function explanatory diagram of a drive unit of theexercise assisting apparatus, and 7B is also a function explanatorydiagram of a drive unit of the exercise assisting apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a substantial cross-sectional view showing the right-hand sideof the exercise assisting apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part of the exerciseassisting apparatus;

FIG. 10A is an operation explanatory diagram in essential parts of theexercise assisting apparatus and 10B is also an operation explanatorydiagram in essential parts of the exercise assisting apparatus;

FIG. 11A is an operation explanatory diagram in essential parts ofanother configuration of the, exercise assisting apparatus and 11B is anoperation explanatory diagram in essential parts of anotherconfiguration of the exercise assisting apparatus; and

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of a foot whenthe exercise assisting apparatus is in use.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is described hereinafter based on an embodimentshown in the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show one example of anexercise assisting apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. The exercise assisting apparatus of this embodiment is anupright exercise assisting apparatus that supports both feet of a userwhile the user remains in a standing posture. This exercise assistingapparatus is provided with a foot-support 2 configured to support auser's feet, a plurality of airbags 5 disposed respectively on areas onan upper surface of the foot-support 2 which come into contact withsoles of the user's feet, and ventilation pumping devices (not shown)for expanding and contracting these airbags 5.

An upper surface of the foot-support 2 has a flat surface having asufficient width, for allowing the user to place the user's feet thereonand stably keep the user's standing posture. In the foot-support 2, theplace for putting the left and right feet thereon is marked with a footpattern. The plurality of airbags 5 are arranged in a plane so as tocover substantially the entirety of this marked section.

The plurality of airbags 5 are arranging longitudinally and laterally ina matrix form. The airbags 5 include toes airbags 5 a for five toes, apair of front foot airbags 5 b, two pairs of middle foot airbags 5 c,and a pair of rear foot airbags 5 d. The toes airbags 5 a are disposedlaterally to come into contact with the user's toes. The front footairbags 5 b is disposed laterally to come into contact with the user'sfront sole. The middle foot airbags 5 c are disposed longitudinally andlaterally to come into contact with the user's arch. The rear footairbags 5 d are disposed laterally to come into contact with the user'sheel.

These airbags 5 configure actuators, each of which has its top come intocontact with each of the user's soles and vertically movable. In otherwords, each of the toes airbags 5 a is the actuator that is capable ofproperly setting the vertical position of its top that comes intocontact with each of the five toes. Each of the front foot airbags 5 bis the actuator that is capable of properly setting the verticalposition of its top that comes into contact with the front sole. Each ofthe middle foot airbags 5 c is the actuator that is capable of properlysetting the vertical position of its top that comes into contact withthe arch. Each of the rear foot airbags 5 d is the actuator that iscapable of properly setting the vertical position of its top that comesinto contact with the heel.

Note that other configurations may be adopted as these actuators. In oneexample of the other configurations, a protruding member that freelyslides vertically is disposed to come into contact with a predeterminedpart of each sole, so as to be driven to move vertically. In such aconfiguration using this protruding member, it is preferred to use theactuator that vertically slides the protruding member by using a motorand gear, especially in the section applied with the user's weight.

These airbags 5 are controlled to operate coordinately by theventilation of the pumping devices. Each airbag 5 is driven to changethe height of its top such that a plurality of airbags 5 can form aplurality of freely changeable concavo-convex patterns. The user placethe soles of his/her feet on the varying concavo-convex patterns andkeep his/her standing posture, to stimulate the muscle groups of bothfeet and effortlessly and effectively train the muscles for staying onhis/her feet while keeping the balance of his/her standing posture.

When the concavo-convex patterns are set such that the airbags 5 on thefront side expand larger (e.g., such that the heights of the verticalpositions of the tops of the toes airbags 5 a, the front foot airbags 5b, the middle foot airbags 5 c, and the rear foot airbags 5 d decreasein this order), each foot of the user having his/her sole placed on theconcavo-convex patterns is dorsiflexed (see FIG. 2A). Furthermore, whenthe concavo-convex patterns are set such that the airbags 5 on the rearside expand larger (e.g., such that the heights of the verticalpositions of the tops of the toes airbags 5 a, the front foot airbags 5b, the middle foot airbags 5 c, and the rear foot airbags 5 d increasein this order), each foot of the user having his/her sole placed on theconcavo-convex patterns is plantarflexed (see FIG. 2B).

When the middle foot airbags 5 c that are located in the central part inthe longitudinal direction expand and cause the tops thereof to protrudeupward significantly, each foot of the user having his/her sole placedon the concavo-convex patterns is bent into an arch (see FIG. 2C).

Because the plurality of the toes airbags 5 a, the front foot airbags 5b, the middle foot airbags 5 c and the rear foot airbags 5 d aredisposed in pairs on right and left sides, an internal or externalinclination can be added [to the foot] when applying a differencebetween the vertical positions of the top pairs. For example, in theairbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d for placing the left foot, when thevertical positions of the tops on the left-hand side are set to be lowerthan those of the tops on the right-hand side, the external inclinationcan be added to the left foot. When the vertical positions of the topson the right-hand side are set to be lower than those on the tops of theleft-hand side, the internal inclination can be added to the left foot.

In the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d for placing the right foot, whenthe vertical positions of the tops on the right-hand side are set to belower than those of the tops on the left-hand side, the externalinclination can be added to the right foot. When the vertical positionsof the tops on the left-hand side are set to be lower than those of thetops on the right-hand side, the internal inclination can be added tothe right foot.

Various combinations can be created and appropriately set for theseconcavo-convex patterns. While the user places his/her feet on theconcavo-convex patterns and hold his/her standing posture, the pumpingdevices automatically expand and contract the airbags 5 and switch theconcavo-convex patterns alternately. Therefore, even an elderly personwho finds it too difficult to do an acute exercise can stimulate themuscle groups of both feet and effortlessly and effectively train themuscles for staying on his/her feet while keeping the balance of thestanding posture.

It is not necessary to provide the airbags 5 with all of the illustratedexamples. The airbags 5 needs to be provided with at least the toesairbags 5 a for coming into contact with the toes. All of the toesairbags can be configured to expand so as to dorsiflex user's foot.Instead, each of the toes airbags can be configured to individuallyexpand to plantarflex each toe. Moreover, the airbags 5 may be providedwith at least the middle foot airbags 5 c to come into contact with thearch. The middle foot airbags 5 c are configured to expand for allowingthe foot to be bent into arch-shape.

In addition, the airbags 5 may be provided with at least the toesairbags 5 a and the rear foot airbags 5 d respectively to come intocontact with user's toes and heel. In this configuration, it is possibleto expand not only the toes airbags 5 a to dorsiflex the foot, but alsothe rear foot airbags 5 d to plantarflex the foot.

FIGS. 3 to 12 show another example of the exercise assisting apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that thedetailed description on the configurations same as those of the examplesmentioned above are omitted, and only the characteristic configurationsthat are different than those examples are described hereinafter indetail.

In the exercise assisting apparatus of this embodiment, the foot-support2 for supporting a foot of the user is formed using a left footrest 2 aand right footrest 2 b for supporting the user's left and right feet.Treads 21 of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b, which aredescribed hereinafter, have the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d arrangedtherein. In the drawings other than FIGS. 3 and 9, the illustration ofthe airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d is omitted.

The exercise assisting apparatus of this embodiment has a drive unit 3for reciprocating the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b,wherein the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b are provided tooperate in coordination with the expansion and contraction of theairbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d. This allows for a combination of theassisted exercise described in the example in which the muscle groupsare stimulated, while the user holds the balance of his/her standingposture on the concavo-convex patterns formed by the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5c and 5 d, with another assisted exercise in which a variety of musclegroups of the user's legs are stimulated by forcibly reciprocating theleft and right feet along a predetermined track. The left footrest 2 a,the right footrest 2 b, and the drive unit 3 for reciprocating the leftfootrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b are described hereinafter indetail.

In this embodiment, a base plate 1 a is provided as a mount to be placedon a floor, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Although the illustrated baseplate 1 a is in the shape of a rectangular parallelpiped, the externalshape of the base plate 1 a is not particularly limited. In order tosimplify the following description, an upper surface of the base plate 1a is in parallel with the floor surface when the base plate 1 a isplaced on the floor. Therefore, the vertical position shown in FIGS. 3and 4 is the vertical position obtained when the exercise assistingapparatus is in use.

An upper plate 1 b is arranged on the base plate 1 a, and a housing 1 isformed by connecting the base plate 1 a and the upper plate 1 btogether. The left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b forsupporting the left and right feet of the user, and the drive unit 3 formoving the positions of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 bare arranged on the base plate 1 a. Note that the direction of the arrowX shown in each of FIGS. 3 and 4 indicates the front direction. Thearrow X in the other drawings also indicates the front direction.

Two open windows 11 a, 11 b that respectively expose therethrough theleft footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b are provided in the form ofthrough-holes in a thickness direction. Each of the open windows 11 a,11 b is opened in the shape of a rectangle. However, in the open windows11 a, 11 b, the centerlines along the longer direction are inclinedtoward the longitudinal direction of the housing 1, and the distancebetween the centerlines is made greater on the front end side of thehousing 1 than on the rear end side.

As shown in FIG. 5, slide grooves 12 are opened on both sides in thewidth direction of each of the open windows 11 a, 11 b, such as to facethe inside of each open window 11 a, 11 b. A flange part 22 a formed ina tread cover 22 is inserted slidably into each slide groove 12. Thetread cover 22 configures the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2b along with the tread 21 for placing the sole, and has a main body 22 aformed into a rectangular cylinder. The flange part 22 b extends overthe entire periphery of the main body 22 a along an open surface (uppersurface) on one side of the main body 22 a. An attachment plate 22 c isintegrally formed at a lower part inside the main body 22 a of the treadcover 22.

The main body 22 a is formed such that its longer direction and widthdirection are smaller than the open windows 11 a, 11 b. The flange part22 b is formed such that its longer direction and width direction arelarger than the open windows 11 a, 11 b. In addition, the distancebetween each slide groove 12 and the bottom is made greater than thedistance between the flange part 22 b and a tip end. Therefore, thetread cover 22 can be moved within the range of the slide groove 12 inthe width direction and the longer direction.

Each of the treads 21 is formed into a rectangular plate that isslightly smaller than an inner periphery of the main body 22 a of thetread cover 22. The tread 21 is also formed into size that is largeenough for the user to place his/her entire foot. Inverted C-shapedfolded cover members 21 a, 21 b are integrally provided in a lowersurface peripheral part of the tread 21. A pair of bearings 21 c that isseparated in the width direction of the tread 21 is provided integrallywith the tread 21 in a section surrounded by the cover members 21 a, 21b on the lower surface of the tread 21.

A bearing plate 23 having a substantially inverted C-shaped crosssection that is opened upward is fixed to an upper surface of theattachment plate 22 c provided in the tread cover 22. The bearing 21 cprovided in the tread 21 abuts against an outside surface of each legpiece 23 a of the bearing plate 23. Also, an axial part 24 that passesthrough both leg pieces 23 a of the bearing plate 23 and the bothbearings 21 c is provided. Thus, the axial part 24 is disposed along thewidth direction of the tread 21, and the tread 21 is made turnablearound the axial part 24 such that the front and rear thereof in thelonger direction move vertically with respect to the tread cover 22. Theabovementioned cover members 21 a, 21 b are provided in order to preventa gap from being formed between the lower surface of the tread 21 andthe tread cover 22 when the tread 21 turns with respect to the treadcover 22.

A carriage 41 having a substantially inverted C-shaped cross sectionwith an opened lower surface is attached to a lower surface of theattachment plate 22 c provided in the tread cover 22. Two wheels 42 areattached to an outside surface of each leg piece 41 a of the carriage41. Two rails 43 are fixed to each of the left footrest 2 a and theright footrest 2 b in the upper surface of the base plate 1 a, and thecarriage 41 is placed on the rails 43 such that the wheels 42 roll inrail grooves 43 a provided on upper surfaces of the rails 43. Aderailing prevention plate 44 for preventing the wheel 42 from fallingoff the rail groove 43 a is provided on the upper surface of each rail43 (see FIG. 6).

Incidentally, the longer direction of each rail 43 is different than thelonger directions of the open windows 11 a, 11 b provided in the housing1. As described above, in the open windows 11 a, 11 b, the inclinationof each of the centerlines along the longer direction is greater on thefront end side of the housing 1 than on the rear end side. The longerdirection of each rail 43 also is inclined in the same manner in thelongitudinal direction of the housing 1.

Each rail 43 is set to have a longitudinal direction which deviates fromthat of the housing 1 greater than each of the open windows 11 a, 11 b.For example, when each of the open windows 11 a, 11 b has a longitudinaldirection deviating at 30 degrees from that of the housing 1, the rail43 is set to have a longitudinal direction deviating at 45 degrees fromthat of the housing 1. In other words, the longer direction of the rail43 is set in a direction in which no shear force acts on the knees evenwhen the positions of the legs are changed by moving the left footrest 2a and the right footrest 2 b along the rail 43, while the legs areplaced on the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b thecenterlines of the legs are conformed with the longer direction of theopen windows 11 a, 11 b. Note that the present embodiment illustrates anexample in which the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 bdesirably are moved on moving paths that combine the longitudinaldirection with the horizontal direction. However, the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b can be moved in the longitudinal direction orthe horizontal direction, depending on the direction of arranging therails 43.

According to the configuration mentioned above, the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b can reciprocate along the longer direction ofeach rail 43. Because the longer direction of each rail 43 is inclinedwith respect to the centerlines of the open windows 11 a, 11 b in thelonger direction, the tread 21 and the tread cover 22 move in adirection intersecting with the longitudinal direction within the openwindows 11 a, 11 b. In other words, the carriage 41, the wheels 42, therails 43, and the derailing prevention plate 44 function as guidingparts 4 that restrain the moving paths of the left footrest 2 a and theright footrest 2 b.

The drive unit 3 for moving the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest2 b has, as shown in FIG. 7, a drive source 31 generating a drive power,a system separation part 32 for separating the drive power into twosystems so as to transmit the drive power to both the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b, and a reciprocation drive part 33 forreciprocating the carriage 41 along each rail 43 by using the drivepower. The present embodiment adopts a configuration shown in FIG. 7A inwhich the drive power is separated by the system separation part 32 andthe separated drive powers are transmitted to the reciprocation drivepart 33. However, as shown in FIG. 7B, the drive power for reciprocationdrive that is obtained by the reciprocation drive part 33 can beseparated into two systems by the system separation part 32.

The drive unit 3 is further described specifically. A rotary motor (tobe simply referred to as “motor” hereinafter, which is applied with areference numeral 31) is employed as the drive source 31, and the systemseparation part 32 is coupled to an output axis 31 a of the motor 31.

The system separation part 32 has a worm (first gear) 32 a coupled tothe output axis 31 a of the motor 31, and a pair of worm wheels (secondgears) 32 b meshed with the worm 32 a. The worm 32 a and the two wormwheels 32 b are stored in a gearbox 34 fixed to the base plate 1 a. Thegearbox 34 includes a gear case 34 a having an opening on its uppersurface, and a lid plate 34 b placed to cover the open surface of thegear case 34 a. A pair of bearings 32 c for bearing both end parts ofthe worm 32 a in its longitudinal direction is attached between the gearcase 34 a and the lid plate 34 b.

A rotation shaft 35 held by the gear case 34 a and the lid plate 34 b isinserted into each of the worm wheels 32 b, and the worm wheel 32 b andthe rotation shaft 35 are connected with each other so that the rotationshaft 35 rotates together with the worm wheel 32 b. In an upper end partof the rotation shaft 35, a connection part 35 a having a non-circularcross section (a rectangular shape in the drawings) is formed.

The motor 31 is placed on an opening receiving part 34 c provided in thegear case 34 a and an opening receiving plate 13 a fixed to the baseplate 1 a, and is fixed to the base plate 1 a by the lid plate 34 bplaced to cover the gear case 34 a and a holding plate 13 b connected tothe opening receiving plate 13 a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reciprocation drive part 33 has a crank plate 36one end part of which is connected to the connecting part 35 a of therotation shaft 35, and a crank rod 38 that is connected to the crankplate 36 by a crankshaft 37. One end part of the crankshaft 37 is fixedto the crank plate 36, and the other end part of the crankshaft 37 isheld by a bearing 38 a that is held by one end part of the crank rod 38.In other words, the one end part of the crank rod 38 is connected to thecrank plate 36 so as to be turnable. The other end part of the crank rod38 is connected to the carriage 41 using an axial member 38 b. The otherend part of the crank rod 38 is connected to the carriage 41 so as to beturnable.

As is clear from the configuration described above, the crank rod 38functions as a conversion mechanism for converting the torques of theworm wheels 32 b to reciprocation of the carriage 41. The crank rod 38is provided in each of the worm wheels 32 b, and the carriage 41 isprovided in each of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b.Therefore, the crank rod 38 functions as the conversion mechanism forconverting the torques of the worm wheels 32 b to the reciprocation ofeach of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b.

As described above, because the moving path is restrained by the wheels42 and the rails 43, the carriage 41 reciprocates along the longerdirection of the rails 43 as the worm wheels 32 b rotate. That is, therotation of the motor 31 is transmitted to the crank plate 36 via theworm 32 a and the worm wheels 32 b. Then, the carriage 41 reciprocatesin straight line along each rail 43 by means of the crank rod 38connected to the crank plate 36. As a result, the tread cover 22connected to the carriage 41 reciprocates along the rails 43, such thateach of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b reciprocates inthe longitudinal direction of each rail 43.

In the present embodiment, the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest2 b are driven in cooperation with each other by the drive unit 3,because the drive power is separated into two systems by the worm 32 aand the worm wheels 32 b and used as the drive powers of the leftfootrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b according to the systems.Herein, the position where each of the worm wheels 32 b meshes with theworm 32 a is changed by 180 degrees, and therefore when the leftfootrest 2 a is positioned at a rear end of its moving range, the rightfootrest 2 b is positioned at a front end of its moving range. The rearend of the moving range of the left footrest 2 a corresponds to a rightend of the moving range of the left footrest 2 a. The front end of themoving range of the right footrest 2 b corresponds to a right end of themoving range of the right footrest 2 b. Therefore, the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b move in the same horizontal direction.

As is clear from the configuration described above, the phase differencein movement between the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b canbe provided appropriately in accordance with the position where the worm32 a meshes with the worm wheels 32 b. When using the exercise assistingapparatus in a standing position by standing on the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b, a phase difference of 180 degrees can beprovided as in the present embodiment, so that a user with a lowbalancing capability can use the exercise assisting apparatus becauseless longitudinal movement of the center of gravity of the user isrequired. Instead, when the phase difference is not provided, the centerof gravity of the user needs to be moved in the longitudinal direction.Consequently, the exercise assisting apparatus can be helpful for notonly the exercises for the muscle groups of the legs but also theexercises for the muscle groups of the lower back.

Because the treads 21 provided in the left footrest 2 a and the rightfootrest 2 b can turn around the axial part 24 in relation to the treadcovers 22, the height of the front end part of each tread 21 and theheight of the rear end part of the same can be made different from eachother, as shown in FIG. 9. In other words, by making the height of eachtiptoe of a foot placed on the tread 21 different from the height of theheel, the ankle joint can be dorsiflexed and plantarflexed.

Herein, in order to associate the turning of the tread 21 around theaxial part 24 with the reciprocation along the rails 43, a guide surface14 that has at least partially an inclined surface 14 a is formed alongthe moving path of the tread 21 in the base plate 1 a, as shown in FIG.10. Also, a copy protruding part 25 abutting against the guide surface14 is provided on the lower surface of the tread 21. In the illustratedexample, the inclined surface 14 that is inclined at a fixed angle tothe upper surface of the base plate 1 a is formed over the entire lengthof the guide surface 14, but the shape of the guide surface 14 is notparticularly limited, and it is only necessary for a part of the guidesurface 14 to have the inclined surface 14 a. The material and shape fora tip end of the copy protruding part 25 may be selected in order toreduce its coefficient of friction with the guide surface 14, and aroller 25 a that rolls on the guide surface 14 is provided at the tipend of the copy protruding part 25 in the present embodiment.

As described above, because the copy protruding part 25 abutting againstthe guide surface 14 is provided, the angle of the tread 21 with respectto the base plate 1 a is changed as the tread 21 turns around the axialpart 24, when the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 breciprocate as the motor 31 rotates and consequently when the copyprotruding part 25 abuts against the inclined surface 14 a provided onthe guide surface 14. As a result, the ankle. joint can be dorsiflexedand plantarflexed.

Note in the exampled described above, that the base plate 1 a isprovided with the guide surface 14 and that the tread 21 is providedwith the copy protruding part 25. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the sameoperation can be achieved by providing the tread 21 with the guidesurface 14 and the base plate 1 a with the copy protruding part 25.

In the configuration example described above, the system separation part32 of the drive unit 3 is configured such that the worm 32 a and theworm wheels 32 b are used for accomplishing the transmission of thetorques between orthogonal angles of the output axis 31 a of the motor31 and the rotation axis 35 that rotates along with the worm wheels 32b, and for reducing the speed. However, a belt may be adopted toaccomplish the transmission of the torques between the orthogonal anglesbetween the output axis 31 a of the motor 31 and the rotation axis 35.In this case, the worm 32 a can be eliminated by using a pulley that iswrapped by the belt, in place of the worm wheels 32 b.

Furthermore, in the configuration example described above, the outputaxis 31 a of the motor 31 is disposed along the upper surface of thebase plate 1 a, but when the output axis 31 a is disposed so as to beperpendicular to the upper surface of the base plate 1 a, thetransmission of the torques and the separation of the system can beachieved, not by the combination of the worm 32 a and the worm wheels 32b, but by a combination of spur gears. In this configuration, the spurgears may be replaced with pulleys, and the torques can be transmittedbetween the pulleys by using the belt.

Incidentally, when using the apparatus by standing up on it, the leftand right feet are placed on the left footrest 2 a and the rightfootrest 2 b when the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b arestopped at the initial positions thereof, and the operation of the driveunit 3 is started. As shown in FIG. 12, a longer direction Dx of theleft footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b is disposed at, forexample, approximately 9 degrees with respect to the longitudinaldirection (the direction of the arrow X), so that when standing on theleft footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b, the user can stand upnaturally without twisting the user's legs.

In the initial positions, the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2b are in the same position in terms of the longitudinal direction. Inother words, in the initial positions, the left footrest 2 a and theright footrest 2 b lie in one straight line in the horizontal direction.Therefore, once the user stands on the left footrest 2 a and the rightfootrest 2 b in the initial positions thereof, a straight line that isdrawn downward vertically from the center of gravity of the user passesthrough substantially the middle between the left footrest 2 a and theright footrest 2 b.

As is clear from the configuration described above, when the operationof the drive unit 3 is started, the positions of the left footrest 2 aand the position of the right footrest 2 b are changed in thelongitudinal direction, and consequently the positions of the same inthe horizontal direction are changed due to the longitudinal change inthe positions. The left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 breciprocate on the straight lines along the rails 43. The left footrest2 a and the right footrest 2 b move in a direction different than thelongitudinal direction of the feet. For example, each of the leftfootrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b is formed to move in a directiondeviating at 45 degrees in relation to the longitudinal direction of thehousing 1. This moving distance is set at, for example, 20 mm.

As described above, at the same time when the left footrest 2 a and theright footrest 2 b reciprocate along the rails 43, the tread 21 turnsaround the axial part 24. When the tread 21 moves forward, the copyprotruding part 25 climbs the inclined surface 14 a of the guide surface14, and, as a result, the ankle joint is dorsiflexed at front endpositions of the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b, and theankle joint is plantarflexed at rear end positions of the left footrest2 a and the right footrest 2 b. The position of the axial part 24 is setin the vicinity of the sole of the heel, and plantarflexion anddorsiflexion angles are set at approximately 10 degrees with respect tothe upper surface of the base plate 1 a serving as a reference surface.

The relationship of the longitudinal positions of the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b to plantarflexion and dorsiflexion can beinverted from the relationship described in the abovementioned example.In addition, the plantarflexion and dorsiflexion angles with respect tothe reference surface may be changed. Such operations can be realizedeasily by appropriately setting the shape of the guide surface 14.

As described above, the exercise assisting apparatus of this embodimentallows for a combination of the assisted exercise described in theexample in which the muscle groups are stimulated, while the user holdsthe balance of his/her standing posture on the concavo-convex patternsformed by the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d, with another assistedexercise in which a variety of muscle groups of the user's legs arestimulated by forcibly reciprocating the left and right feet along apredetermined track by using the drive unit 3.

There are various combinations as the combination of these assistedexercises. In other words, an assisted exercise in which the standingposture is held and the muscle groups of both feet are stimulated whilecausing the feet to dorsiflex, plantarflex, bend into arches, inclineinternally, and incline externally by using the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 cand 5 d, and another assisted exercise in which the muscle groups ofboth feet are stimulated by the reciprocation of the left footrest 2 aand the right footrest 2 b, as well as buckling and dorsiflexingmotions, can be combined in a various ways.

In a case where the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b arecaused to reciprocate so that the user's feet are dorsiflexed at thefront end positions and plantarflexed at the rear end positions by thedrive unit 3 while the user's feet are kept in the dorsiflexed states bythe concavo-convex patterns formed by the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d,the plantarflexed states in the rear end positions can be offset by thedorsiflexed states caused by the concavo-convex patterns so that thefeet are positioned substantially horizontally, and the feet can bedorsiflexed significantly in the front end positions. On the other hand,in a case where the left footrest 2 a and the right footrest 2 b arecaused to reciprocate by the drive unit 3 while keeping the buckledstates of the user's feet by means of the concave-convex patterns, thedorsiflexed states in the front end positions can be offset by thebuckled states caused by the concavo-convex patterns so that the feetare positioned substantially horizontally, and the feet can be buckledsignificantly in the rear end positions. Alternately switching theassisted exercises in this manner can be accomplished easily by theventilation of the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d.

In the exercise assisting apparatus of the other example describedabove, the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d may not expand or contract. Inother words, in the configuration mentioned above, the airbags 5 a, 5 b,5 c and 5 d serve as the actuators which drives their tops vertically,and each of the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d is provided to activelyapply an external force to each of the soles of the user. On the otherhand, instead of causing the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d to feed ordischarge air, each of the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d may passivelyapply an external force (reaction force) to each of the soles of theuser as the sole pushes the airbags.

In this case as well, the reaction force applied passively by each ofthe airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d during an exercise can break thebalance of the user in various ways. For this reason, even an elderlyperson who finds it too difficult to do an acute exercise can stand onthe airbags 5 and keep a standing posture, to stimulate the musclegroups of both feet and effortlessly and effectively train the musclesfor staying on his/her feet while keeping the balance [of the standingposture]. As with the airbags 5 a, 5 b, 5 c and 5 d shown in thediagram, it is not necessary to provide the airbag 5 in plurality, andtherefore only one airbag may be provided in a section that comes intocontact with each sole.

Because the external force (reaction force) is applied passively to theuser, as described above, an elastic member other than theabovementioned airbag 5 may be disposed in the same way. As the elasticmember to be disposed here, any elastic member is applicable as long asit deforms elastically by the pressure of each of the soles of the userand thus applies a reaction force. For example, an elastic member madeof a sponge or other bubble material (foam material) is suitably used.

Note that the embodiment of the present invention is merely an example,and it goes without saying that the present invention can be replayed,modified and changed in various ways within the scope of the technicalidea of the present invention.

1. An exercise assisting apparatus comprising: a foot-support configuredto support a user's feet; and a plurality of actuators disposedrespectively on areas which come into contact with soles of the user'sfeet, each of said actuators being configured to have its top verticallymovable, wherein said actuators are arranged to move in cooperation witheach other.
 2. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein said actuators are arranged in a plane within each of the areasso as to cover the entire sole of each of the user's feet.
 3. Anexercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidactuators are arranged to cover the soles of at least user's toes.
 4. Anexercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidactuators are arranged to cover the soles of at least the arches of theuser's feet.
 5. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein said actuators are arranged to cover the soles of at least thetoes and heels of the user's feet.
 6. An exercise assisting apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein said actuators are arranged to have theirtops which produce varying concavo-convex patterns.
 7. An exerciseassisting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuator is inthe form of an air bag.
 8. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said foot-support comprises a left footrest and aright footrest for receiving user's left and right feet, respectively,and wherein a drive unit is provided to move the left footrest and theright footrest.
 9. An exercise assisting apparatus comprising: a leftfootrest for supporting a user's left foot; a right footrest forsupporting a user's right foot; a drive unit configured to move the leftfootrest and the right footrest; and an elastic member disposed on anupper surface of each of the left and right footrests to cover the solesof the user's feet.
 10. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth inclaim 2, wherein said foot-support comprises a left footrest and a rightfootrest for receiving user's left and right feet, respectively, andwherein a drive unit is provided to move the left footrest and the rightfootrest.
 11. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 3,wherein said foot-support comprises a left footrest and a right footrestfor receiving user's left and right feet, respectively, and wherein adrive unit is provided to move the left footrest and the right footrest.12. An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 4, whereinsaid foot-support comprises a left footrest and a right footrest forreceiving user's left and right feet, respectively, and wherein a driveunit is provided to move the left footrest and the right footrest. 13.An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein saidfoot-support comprises a left footrest and a right footrest forreceiving user's left and right feet, respectively, and wherein a driveunit is provided to move the left footrest and the right footrest. 14.An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein saidfoot-support comprises a left footrest and a right footrest forreceiving user's left and right feet, respectively, and wherein a driveunit is provided to move the left footrest and the right footrest. 15.An exercise assisting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein saidfoot-support comprises a left footrest and a right footrest forreceiving user's left and right feet, respectively, and wherein a driveunit is provided to move the left footrest and the right footrest.